Final Day

“You find as a writer there are certain spots on the planet where you write better than others, and I believe in that. And New Orleans is one of them.” Jimmy Buffett, singer and songwriter

In the years since Hurricane Katrina struck the city of New Orleans, much has been written about the devastation of the floods and the failures of the government in its response to a crisis. As I reflect on my last day of work on our program’s most recent visit, I feel inspired to write not about pain and loss, but rather of an optimistic belief that things are getting better thanks to the work of students in the DeVos Program. When several of my classmates and I entered our house on Mink Road, all that stood was the framework of a house that had been beaten by the storm and the effect of time. Over the next four days, we set about laying the framework for the rebuilding process, as we fastened insulation to the walls and ceilings and carefully measured and mounted drywall. With an hour to go on our last day of work, we put up the final piece of drywall in the bedroom closet, thus completing the important first steps in reconstructing a house. The people with the St. Bernard Project and our fearless house leader Milo gave us not only the tools to do some great work, but the education and encouragement needed for us to really get our hands dirty and make a difference for the homeowner, a gentleman named Mac. A longtime New Orleans resident, Mac told us he had put on hold the reconstruction of his retirement home so that the money he had could go towards rebuilding the local community center. A few years ago, Stanley Stewart and the DeVos Program worked together to build the foundation for a great partnership. Today, we carry out their vision, Hope for Stanley, to rebuild and give hope to people like Mac, one of the beautiful New Orleanians that inspire and reaffirm our purpose to help make someone’s house a home once again.

Charlie Harless is a member of the DeVos 2010 class and has been to New Orleans 3 times.